Stop...Pause...Appreciate

Highlights, Revelations & a Give Away

Hello lovelies,

How are you? It's so good to be here. I love this space... and I'm so very grateful for it and YOU. Such a blessing.....

I wanted to share some highlights from the last ten days or so....along with a bit of a recent creative revelation.

First the highlights.

1. awhile back I asked you all to share a fav movie or tv show...and oh my gosh....  so many of you mentioned Downton Abbey.... I couldn't help but check into it.... Can I just say... THANK YOU... John and I are hooked.... totally hooked. John loves British tele.... So this was perfect. We are now on Season 3..... Sooo soo good! 

2. being featured at Kelly Rae's site as a possibilitarian was such an honour. Thank you all for the kind words. I posted here about Bryce's big 'possiblitarian' adventure.....You all are so sweet and encouraging. You know... I feel sharing our story, here with all of you....has been such a huge gift. I can honestly 'feel' the support coming our way. It's amazing what happens when you open your heart...... Sharing our stories is so powerful!

3. Bryce left on his big adventure last Tuesday. I was so nervous about it.... his first big trip.... it went perfectly. I was completely joy-filled when an email from Jason popped into my inbox at about 10:45 pm that night..... 'the package has arrived.' Deep, deep sigh. (by the way, Bryce is having an amazing time... he comes home on Friday).

4. My final highlight.... I love getting packages in the mail.... oh my gosh I made an exciting discovery....  I can now order from Anthropologie's online shop and play a flat shipping fee of $20.00. And so, I ordered a few things.
I love that buying pretty things and photographing them fits under my 'job description'. Anyhow, I shot a video.... to share with you all.... a little Anthro Love. It's down below....

Okay....

This leads me to my BIG creative revelation....... and of course...I just have to tell you about it. 'smile'

Here goes....Last year I bought an extra fancy dancy nikon..... part of the reasoning for this big purchase was I wanted to shoot lots of video. Well, I did shoot some... but not much.... For several months I've been in a rut... as far as filming goes... I just couldnt' seem to 'dive in' and do it. 

I signed up for Xanthe's Time Capsule class...thinking this might get me back in the swing of things...it's an awesome class.... but still nothing... BIG BLOCK.... paralyzed..... totally over thinking the process... 

12-12-12 came along.... I committed to filming the day... I thought this will do it for sure... this will be my new beginning. I shot the day... but ugh... nothing... no excitement... all the footage is just sitting on my mac.... I feel no desire to put it together.... quite honestly the thought of it... is just plain overwhelming. 

Xanthe and I talked through this.... Her advice has always been..... just to shoot...practice, practice, practice... She reminded me of how I felt when I first started taking pictures....It was hard! It's not immediate... you have to practice... sigh..... I'm sure she was thinking 'just get on with it already.....'

Okay so Xanthe has a new class, A Journey ....last week she asked me to take a look at the content for the first month.... It's good stuff! This got my head spinning...thinking....yearning to get on with it. We talked and talked some more about my 'issues'..... 

Here's the 2 main 'problems'. One, it's not easy..in fact shooting video with a dslr is just plain tricky...quite honestly I find my lack of know-how frustrating.... Two, I was trying to shoot what other people shoot... Talk about setting myself up for a block....

Last week, I came up with this idea to make a video.... the unwrapping of my anthro package. I mentioned the idea to Xanthe...and she was like 'brilliant...DO IT'. And so, I PROMISED I would. And guess what ... I did!! 

Here's why I finally did it...and why I loved doing it... I was shooting what I wanted to shoot... I was filming my life, my way....my passion. I LOVE pretty things... It's that simple! I know if I stick with that... bring it back to my passion, who I am, what I love...and continue to practice....I will find my way.

And so.... Xanthe, are you reading this.... ? Here's my first Journey submission. :) Anthro love.....

I know I have a long way to go... but it's a beginning.... and OH my... the Anthro package did not disappoint!

Friends.... this is true, for all of us. We have to create in order to find our way... our style.... our passion... There comes a time when we have to stop talking about it and dive in! That's how I found my way with my painting....photoshop, photography...and I believe it's exactly how I will find my way with film....... practice...shoot what I love... trust the process.

Give Away Time

Before I go... I ordered an extra red bowl, like you see above. So beautiful, don't you think? I'd love to send it to one of you ....

To enter for a chance to win, leave a comment below.... perhaps a highlight from your last week or 2.... maybe your thoughts on creative blocks and how you push through... whatever you are moved to share.

I will announce the winner here...in a few days.

As always... so much gratitude....

xo,

Comments

[Dellen]

Kim, I love what you said in this post."practice, shoot what I love...trust the process". It resonates so much with me and my journey in photography. I have learned a lot throughout the years I have been in love with photography, but the more I learn, the more I want to learn. If we quit, we become stagnant. The continued journey is the "process" we have to trust. Just this new year I went downstairs and set up the Alien Bees I had bought a couple of years ago. Something "derailed" me and I never got back to them, comfortable in what I was already doing well. A little over a week ago I took a simple lighting class and said, "Girl, it's now or never. Sell the Alien Bees or start using them". I am taking my jump and plan to pursue this journey wherever it takes me. Practice, Practice, Practice!

[Diane]

Kim, when I watch this I'm nearly in tears. My mother loved pretty things. She was incredibly poor (financially -- though rich in love, grace, and beauty). She owned almost nothing new because she couldn't afford it so she would go to garage sales and buy things or hit the thrift stores. I used to get frustrated because I knew how much she needed the money simply to live yet she spent her money on things she found to be pretty. She's gone now and I'm getting choked up again just typing this. I wish I would have celebrated with her when she got her pretty things. She loved those pretty things and she knew it was a sacrifice but now I realize how much it meant to her. Oh crumb. I'm bawling now. Anyway, I love your pretty things and I'm so glad you shared that with us.

[Gerri]

I absolutely love Anthropology. What a tender and refreshing video you put together to honor the beauty ofntheirnpieces.

To share a highlight...a couple key business doors opened for me and I'm grateful. ;)

[Mary Ann Potter]

Beauty is always simple. I break through any creative block with that very thought, and I find that what I create in mixed media or write on my poetry site is best when I begin at the beginning, add only what's necessary, and stop before it's over-worked. I loved your video; Hollywood can't compete with the simplcity of beauty.

[Tom]

What lovely pieces and video :) Thanks for the contest!

[Kate]

I love Anthropologie and sometimes go to the store just to browse because seeing the beautiful and unique things makes me calmer and happier.

In trying to think of a highlight of the past couple of weeks, it would have to be the new roasted vegetable lasagne recipe I made for dinner the other night. My husband actually went back for seconds and proclaimed the meal, "good". HIgh praise, indeed, coming from him.

[Kelly]

Anthropology is such an amazing store! A really big highlight of my last two weeks was that I was able to see our baby's heartbeat (I'm 8 weeks pregnant). What an amazing experience. It truly is a miracle!!

[kelly]

Pretty things are always a good thing! I love the bowl... for some reason red keeps popping up in my life lately, so I figured I should go ahead and enter!
p.s. you make everything look beautiful, truly.

[Eileen]

This contest is a way for me to say thank you for the lovely textures that arrive in my inbox regularly. Your work is outstanding and inspires me immensely. Again, thank you.

[Meghan @ Life Refocused]

Lovely, as always, Kim. I have some big news I'm announcing on my site tomorrow, so don't want to spill the beans here, but it has to do with being in a magazine I adore! WOOT! xo

[Amy]

I love your work and would love to win your contest as well! Looking forward to more great things to come from you! :)

[Beth]

Hi Kim, I hear you on 12-12-12 video. I tried but it was...really bad. Oh well, video isn't for everyone but I'll probably try again too. I have however busted through one of my big BLOCKS. I can finally fill out the Author URL field when posting! It's definitely still a work in progress but it will do for now.

My first post is up here: http://wp.me/p2JurZ-3J

See you on the interwebs ;O) LOL, what a geek I am, I am!

[Sarah A.]

That is so beautiful...thank you so, so much for sharing! Nothing really out-of-the-ordinary amazing has happened lately, but life's been so full of everyday amazing and I am grateful to be so happy.

[Barbara]

Kim, your generosity is such an inspiration in these times. I can so identify with your struggles on the video side of things. I can't seem to get there. I don't have little children filling my days any more. Just me and my camera and like you, shooting my pretty things. For me, getting beyond the block is letting it go. I don't seem to have any control over it so I go about my day (or week) hoping to find something that will inspire me. Thank you for your generosity, kindness. You are such a bright spot!

[Dana Vastano]

My hilight is yet to come-- my fiance is in the Air Force and recently returned home from a deployment-- by the time I get to see him next week, we will have been apart for exactly 100 days. I know so many couples go much longer for that, and it causes me to be grateful for the time we do get to spend together-- and you can bet I'll be photographing it all!

[Gale Wall]

Video was on my "to-do" list last year...I never marked it off :(
I am hoping to add snippets to my photography sessions this year.
Thanks for the reminder!

[NM Creatrix]

I have been doing 30 days of Little Stones... just a snippet of appreciation each day for 30 days, and I have been really slowing down and thinking about what I appreciate about each day. One of the things that I appreciate is our Beyond Layers class, and I have started doing Texture Tuesdays (for some reason I have always resisted them).All of thas been good for me, and I would love to win the red bowl, it will go with my red teapot!

[Kim]

I've spent the past year, watching from the sidelines, as photographer after photographer posted lovely photos. Paralyzed with fear that "mine" would not stack up I dreamed up images in my head while my camera lay still, beckoning me. I'm smiling now, ready perhaps to begin my visual journey...I will "trust the process". Thank you for inspiring me to move.

[Michelle]

Congrats on your film Kim..Yay you broke the block..! So true we must do what we love..I've always admired the anthropology stuff I see in images around & the red bowl is gorgeous...you make them look even more wonderful! Thanks for sharing the excitement of opening a beautiful new package

[kareninkenai]

Absolutely adored the video - i am particularly enamored with bowls and cups and often times buy old special finds at thrift stores to house my beads. Sometimes new ones if i can afford. i have red in my livingroom and kitchen; and the bowl would be a fabulous compliment.

ps - Dellon - my Mother was the same as yours. I wish i had also celebrated "fully and with more heart" with her. I understand.

Thx always Kim for these wonderful opportunities. I am sans my computer for a couple days until i get the new warranted motherboard. Far more difficult to communicate. LOL - makes me slow dow tho. Hugs from Alaska everyone.

[Jeri Taira]

Oh Kim. I felt the same way about A Journey. Soon as class was announced to start I freaked a little. I also realized I signed up for it instead of the first class. Happy Mistakes right?.

In creating, I start off doing it for me and then somehow in the middle the thoughts come, "I hope people like it" or "Should I have done...." I see someone else's awesome creation and I forget to appreciate their art. Instead I can create from my heart and share it's true art. 

[Beth Phelps]

You are so inspiring. I love that you even share your struggles. I just turned 61 years old. I've spent my entire life supporting others in their life journeys. My needs/wants/desires always took a second, third, fourth or farther seat. I have been on a self-discovery journey for the past 15 years, and just recently acknowledged what has been staring me in the face forever . . . my passion for photography. I love the energy and inspiration that you bring to the table . . . and am so excited for the continuation of my journey - wherever it leads me.

[Sheila]

Love the stuff you do Kim, you are so inspiring. I've ended up with a terrible cold this week, it's been so lonf since I 've had a head cold I thought I was immune...guess not. Not much accomplished but tomorrow is another day. Thanks so much for sharing with us.

[Kathryn Dyche Dechairo]

The highlight of my week was seeing my 10 month old lab snuggled up with my 12 week old pup. Made my heart melt. It's always hard getting the hang of something new, I want to expand on my photography skills this year but resistance keeps getting in the way. Thanks for the inspiration.

[cathy @ ma vie trouve]

A lovely video and so YOU. Kim, you are are generous...always sharing of yourself and also dropping us little goodies along the way. I hope it comes back to you tenfold. And a highlight for me was that I spend the last 10 days in Myanmar (Burma) an awesome adventure! You'll be seeing lots of photos on TT and BB!! Cheers.

[Judy Lawhon]

A few weeks ago, I decided to start work on an art journal incorporating art and photographs. Sooooo, I have to come up with a different idea for a page everyday. Sometimes I will dream of something and use it or wake up on the night with a terrific idea.....or, sometimes I just sit and stare at it till something pops into my head. I always start with a background and colors I may chose. I am having such a good time. Thanks for all the beautiful textures.

[louciao]

I find I have to "sneak up" on my art-making. Show up with no real expectations, just ready to start seeing what turns up, what jumps out at me and grabs my attention and makes me wonder "what if...?" Today, for example, I intended to work with papers and make collages, but I opened my computer to sort out some files, which led me down a road to some previously created collages...which made me wonder what more I could do with them if I overlaid some other images...and 4 hours later, I'd come up with a new piece of digital art, as if by magic.

[Susan Gertz]

I love the idea of documenting cherished things in still photos or movies, especially as we think about downsizing our home and not being able to keep everything. I think keeping the memories of things through images and sharing the real things with people who will love them is a great way to let go.

[Joy Gerow]

I think you figured it out perfectly ... and you executed the move through your block to share an exquisite moment beautifully. You've certainly engaged us and once again I am inspired. I wish I had a camera that shoots video ... as my D2X was before they added that feature. As I shoot for my ... fame and fortune =0) ... a Nikon D800 is on my list of wants and wishes. I WILL make it happen!
I also love pretty things and do love to shoot still life of them. I forget how much I love to prepare a scene with 'things' until I get into doing it again. That's one big thing that Beyond Layers this past year made me realize. I think making an image IS what I love best about my craft. It is the only time I feel in complete control over what I am shooting and I know this is when I feel the most creative.
I love your new bowls ... so so pretty ... now to go see what I have in my sideboard that I haven't thought about recently.
Thanks Kim ... for sharing your journey through blocks and accomplishments.
Beauty ...
Love always, xo Joy

[Julie]

Thank you for the fabulous video, I have all these ideas buzzing around in my head now. You are truly a special person sharing so much, not many people do it these days.

[Cheryl simpson]

I just love love love your classses, Kim!❤❤❤

[Nancy]

Kim -- I know what you mean about the video thing -- I was asked to shoot some video for a website awhile ago and I was really struggling.

I decided to reach out to someone that has been doing it awhile and although I didn't immediately understand why I needed to follow his suggestions, it started to gel and now I feel much more confident in my finished products.

Stick with it -- you'll do great!

Thank you for the generous giveaway. I love love that bowl!

Have a great weekend.

[Deb M]

Kim, what a gorgeous red bowl! I've never been to an Anthropologie store-guess I'll have to check it out, (or at least go to their web store). You are 100% right, when you are shooting what you love it's so much easier-just more "natural". Really, I think that can be applied to just about everything we do.

I work with a few folks who are Downton Abby "addicts"-they watch the back shows on the computer at break time. It's like a little cult! I may have to give it a go-there seems to be so little on tv these days that is actually worth watching.

Thanks for all you do for us and all the different ways you encourage us to stretch our creativity-I would be lost in this process without you -and it wouldn't be nearly as much fun!

[Elise]

I know of Anthropology but haven't really checked it out. Now I will! Your choices are beautiful.

[seabluelee]

Kim, this paragraph brought tears to my eyes:
"We have to create in order to find our way... our style.... our passion... There comes a time when we have to stop talking about it and dive in! That's how I found my way with my painting....photoshop, photography...and I believe it's exactly how I will find my way with film....... practice...shoot what I love... trust the process."
I'm struggling with where I am right now (literally), trying to find beauty in an environment so different from the one my heart and soul are naturally drawn to. It's here...I just need to figure out my place in it and how to capture it. Thank you for your sweet spirit and ongoing inspiration.

[Carrie Finazzo]

I cannot tell you in words how you inspire me. I love to see your emails in my inbox.
You spirit is so generous and calm and graceful. I relate to you in more ways than I can say.
YOU are like a gift to me that is wrapped in silver paper with a beautiful gold bow. Thank you.

[Biba]

"Love is what gives joy to all creation". You have demonstrated that in large measure!

[Olga]

Those are very well chosen pieces.... beauty, grace, silence, peace... they all radiate those soul-touching qualities of life. Wonderfully soft photos. Love it!

[Cheryl]

What a lovely video. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. A highlight or milestone for me is that I recently had my two year anniversary on Instagram. Kind of silly, but it make me feel good :)

[Renee B]

Kim...I am grateful to you! You are always so giving...not only with material things such the textures that you share and special prize give-a-ways....but also by sharing your stories, your thoughts, your creative photography work, and now, videos! Great job on the video! and tThe he bowls are soooo cute. I will definetly have to check out that Web site.
My expierence with "creative block": I live in a very small town. A well-known children's book author, Patricia Polacco, grew up around this area and about 10 yrs ago (give or take) she moved back to this town. Once a year the town holds a home tour and Patricia Polacco's home was on the tour. I used to have a bit of a dream of writing children's books so when I went to her home on the tour she was doing a book signing. I asked her what advice she would give to someone that had a dream of becoming an author. She said "Always write what you know and what you are passionate about". So, I try to apply that when I get stuck in a "photography" block. I try to go back to what I know and what I feel passionate about.
Thanks for the give-away offer. I am so loving those bowls...and the class would be such a wonderful gift! I enjoy your classes and always learn so much!

[Linda]

Very inspiring! It really is possible to do what we once thought impossible!

xo,
Linda

[Sharon]

I love the purity of these objects against the pale purity of the background.

I was already inspired today by your 1st post in Beyond Beyond. I love photo prompts, and yours got my juices flowing. Thanks so much.

[Nina G.]

So pretty! I love to stroll through antique shops for my fix of photo props....and YES....i chuckle when i think, it's part of my 'business'! :)
I am getting close to a new Nikon purchase....after tax season first! (that will determine it.)
Hope I can keep up better with this new class....LOVE the challenges and inspiration.
You are a GEM!

[Marilyn]

Oh, that bowl is so lovely. Hope I win :) Thank you for all that you do for your followers and fans and class takers.

[Laura]

Oh, Kim...I felt the exact same way about my "time capsule". I tried again when I took pictures the whole day on 12-12-12 but have yet to even look at them...it seems so overwhelming. I am hoping that after some home improvement projects and some health issues are taken care of I'll have a bit more time to focus on my creativity.

And I love that you love pretty things. I think it was Diane in a comment above who mentioned her mother, poor financially but who loved pretty things. My mother was the same and I did not appreciate that about her. She's gone now and I wish I knew then what I know now....pretty things are just as important as the necessities in life.

Love the beautiful bowls. THank you for your inspiring video...and for being YOU!

[Roberta]

Being overwhelmed blocks me and that means it is time to slow down and just breathe. I think the highlight of the past week was that it warmed up outside and that made it so much better for hiking. I like it when it is cool outside but not when it is so cold that I have to wear so many layers that it is hard to move :-)

[stephanie]

oh wow, congrats on a fab video. I know just how you feel, Im having the same issues with photos and photoshop... hee hee, but i will get there as I know your beyond layers class is going to help me. ps... anthro is my FAV FAV store. xxx

[Carol]

First - love your video. Well done.

Creative blocks - I have no tried and method for removing the blocks. What I have learned is that when I'm experiencing these blocks, I had be better sure to have pen and paper handy at all times...cause when the block disappears...good stuff start streaming. Lots of it. And I better be writing fast or something great might get away.

[lea]

Love buying things and snapping photos, my daughter teases me every rtime i pick something up and get t"that look" in my eyes!

[Tish]

what an absolutely inspiring post! thank you for that. your video was beautiful, calming.
i love anthropologie as well. i only wish i had a store much closer.